Calls for swift answer to Zimbabwe crisis
Head of state, 93, ignores noon deadline to resign
DOWNING STREET appealed to all sides to refrain from violence and called for a swift resolution to the situation in Zimbabwe.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said she hoped for a peaceful solution.
He added: “We don’t yet know how events in Zimbabwe are going to play out. What does appear clear is that (president Robert) Mugabe has lost the support of the people and of his party.
“While the situation remains uncertain we would appeal to everyone to refrain from violence and hope to see a peaceful and swift resolution to the situation.”
The news came after Africa Minister Rory Stewart said the end of the “brutal tragedy” of Mugabe’s rule in Zimbabwe could transform the country, but his departure cannot be taken for granted.
Mr Stewart acknowledged that “nothing with Mugabe was inconceivable” after the Zimbabwean president refused to step down despite his ZANU PF ruling party demanding his resignation following the military takeover.
He said Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was elected on Sunday as the new leader of ZANU PF, was trying to take power in a way that was “constitutional and legal” because he wanted to be seen as legitimate – which could give the opportunity to have fair elections.
Mr Stewart acknowledged it was right to be “sceptical” about Mr Mnangagwa, the politician nicknamed the Crocodile who was at Mr Mugabe’s side for much of his time in office, but “this could be a moment for change”.
ZIMBABWE’S RULING party has ordered impeachment proceedings to begin against President Robert Mugabe and expressed confidence he could be voted out within two days.
The world’s oldest head of state, meanwhile, ignored the party’s noon deadline yesterday to resign and instead summoned ministers to a Cabinet meeting this morning.
The ruling ZANU PF party’s deputy secretary for legal affairs Paul Mangwana said politicians were to move a motion for impeachment yesterday and set up a parliamentary committee, and today the committee would report back and “we vote him out”.
The main charge against the 93-year-old Mr Mugabe is “allowing his wife to usurp government powers” and that “he is too old and cannot even walk without help”, Mr Mangwana told reporters.
He said the ruling party needs the backing of the MDC opposition group to have enough votes in Parliament but “we have talked to them and they are supporting us”.
Zimbabweans were stunned by Mr Mugabe’s defiance during a national address on Sunday night in which the increasingly isolated president, put under military house arrest last week, had been expected to step down.
Mr Mugabe did acknowledge “a whole range of concerns” about the chaotic state of the government and the economy, which has collapsed since he took power after independence from white minority rule in 1980.
A notice by Mr Mugabe’s chief secretary announced Tuesday morning’s Cabinet meeting at State House and said all ministers “should attend”.
However, a tweet by one minister, Jonathan Moyo, indicated several had left the country. The military appears to favour a voluntary resignation for Mr Mugabe, one of Africa’s last remaining liberation leaders, to maintain a veneer of legality in the political transition and avoid accusations of a coup.
Mr Mugabe, in turn, is likely using whatever leverage he has left to try to preserve his legacy or even protect himself and his family from possible prosecution. Amid the confusion, the government urged Cabinet ministers to pursue business as usual. Meanwhile, opposition activists and the influential liberation war veterans association announced more demonstrations to pressure Mr Mugabe to go. “Your time is up,” veterans’ association leader Chris Mutsvangwa said at a press conference.
He suggested that the military was still beholden to Mugabe and compelled to protect him because he is their “commander in chief ”.
The war veterans’ association will go to court to argue that Mr Mugabe is “derelict of his executive duty”, Mr Mutsvangwa said.
Mr Mugabe was stripped of his party leadership but said in his speech he would preside over a party congress next month.
That congress is expected to ratify his firing as party chief, the expulsion of the unpopular first lady and the naming of Mr Mugabe’s recently fired deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, to succeed him.
(The charge) is allowing his wife to usurp government powers. Zanu-PF party’s deputy secretary for legal affairs Paul Mangwana.